Alternating-current vapor-lamp.



P. H. THOMAS.

ALTERNATING CURRENT VAPOR LAMP.

APPLICATION IILED MAY 11, 1905. 1,1 10,587, Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

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P. H. THOMAS. ALTERNATING CURRENT VAPOR. LAMP.

\ APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1905. 1,1 10,587, Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

' 6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

P; H. THOMAS. ALTERNATING CURRENT VAPOR LAMP.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1905. 1,1 10,587. Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

a sHEBTssHEnT a.

P. H. THOMAS.

ALTERNATING CURRENT VAPOR LAMP.

1 APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1905. 1,1 10,587, Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 4 P. H. THOMAS.

ALTERNATING CURRENT VAPOR LAMP. APPLICATION FILED MAYll, 1905.

1,110,58'Y, Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHBET 5.

111a TED STATES, 01 111011.

PERCY H. THOMAS, 013 MONTGLAIB, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOB,

MENTS, '10 COOPER HEWITT ELECTRIC COMPANY, OF HOBOKEN,

CORPORATION OF NEW JERSEY.

.BY muslin assrennew mnsnr, A

ALTERNATING-OURREIIT VAPOR-LAMP.

= Specification of Letters Patent. Application filed May '11, 1905'. Serial no, 259,953.

Patented Sept. 15, 1914.

, To all whom it may concern Be' it known that I, PERCY H. THoMAs, a citizen of the-United States, and resldent of Montclair, county of Essex, State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Alternating-Current Vapor-Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in vapor electric lamps and particularly to lamps of that character which are designed to be used on alternating current circuits. -I have illustrated in the present application various embodiments of the invention as will appear in the present specification. Oneobject of my invention relatesto providing alternating current lamps of the tilting. type and also providing means for starting the same into operation.

The various embodiments of invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- 1 Figures 1,2, 3,4,4 5, 6,7, 8,9, 10, 11, 12. 13, 14 and 15 represent different circuits and lamp details. 7 f Referring to the first tw'qfigures of the drawing, I have here illustrated a simple form of tiltinglamp and adapted to be operated by an alternating current, 1 being the container of the lamp, 2 the negative electrode, which may be of mercury, and 4 the positive electrodes of some such as iron. The container 1 is connected by a frame, 5, which is pivoted at 6 to a suitable support, 7.

- The frame 5 carries an armature or core, 8,

which is under the influence of a magnet or solenoid, 9, supported by a standard, 10. The operating position of the lamp is shown in full linesin Fig. 1.

The positive electrodes 3 and 4 are connected to the terminals of an alternating current source and the negative electrode 2 to an intermediate point thereof. -To one of the positive electrodes, as 3, is connected a conducting piece, 11, which extends downward into proximity to the lower inner.

' wall of apocket 20, of the container 1.

ing the negative electrode 2 To start the lamp into operation current is applied through the magnet, 9, to lift the lamp into the dotted position, whereupon mercury flows from the receptacle containthrough the Fig. 1 the main circuit being assumed in be closed during this period. Should the separation of the mercury in the container take place at a suitable moment for making the electrode 2 the cathode or negative electrode of the apparatus, the lamp may be left to operate in the full line position.

Should it happen, however, that therup- 'ture of the mercury circuit in the container takes place at a such as to' make e electrode 2 a positive electrode, the operation described will be repeated until the proper relations are obtained.

In, Fig. 3'1 show means whereby the de-' scribed operation of tiltingrthe lamp may be performed b. hand. he connect-ions here -,shown to t e source may be adopted for use with the apparatus shown in gg The operation of the lamp shown in Fig. 3 will be clearly understood from what has been said respecting Figs. 1 and 2. In both instances, the magnet, 12, may be included in the circuit and placed in such relation to a cut-out, 13, as to draw the movable contact-piece, 14, thereof away from the stationary contact-piece, 15, whereby the circuit to the pocket 20 will be automatically opened when the lamp is brou ht into operation, thereby permitting the e ectrodes 3 and 4 to remain as the positive electrodes of the apparatus during operation. The magnet 12 will then remain in the circuit as aninductance device in series with the lamp.

In Fig. 1 an inductance" device, in operative relation to a cut-out, eluded tive electrode 2 and a resistance, 18, is inter- 16, placed 17, is inposed between the cut-out and the mercury point in the alternation t in the circuit extending to the nega-j action of the choke coil 16 on the'cut-out -17.

In this arrangement I show choke coils, 60

and 61, in the leads from the terminals of tension 63, depending from. the positive electrode 4 in such a manner as to start the lamp when tilted as already described. Thus the mercury into which the extension 63, passes serves the function of a temporary supplementary positive electrode. The operation then includes the tilting'of the lamp in such a manner as to cause a connection, while the current is still operating upon the supplemental negative 62, between the negative electrode 2 and the said supplemental negative. When this occurs,the main current divides, part passing through the electrode 62 and the resistance 18 and the cut-out 17 to the source; the other portion passing through the mercury within the lamp, through the electrode 2, thechoke coil 16 to the source. When, now, the connection of the mercury is broken between the electrode 2 and the electrode 62, the electrode 2 or the mercury connected with'it becomes a negative electrode and the lamp is started into operation. The flow of current through the lamp resulting from the connection of the negative electrode 2 with .the electrode 62 energizes the coil 16 and cuts out the supplemental electrode 62. These operations of starting, with the proper adjustments, will be accomplished at one tilting ofthe lamp.

In Fig. 5 I show an end View of a lamp having a somewhat different construction, the said lamp being made operative by being tilted longitudinally as in the preceding cases and also by being rocked somewhat during the tilting motion. The means for accomplishing these two motions are illustrated in connection with Figs. 7 8 and 9.

' The object of the construction shown in Fig.5 is to insure that the actual rupture inside the container shall take place between mercury surfaces and not between mercury and a metal. In this figure, 3 and 4 are the positive electrodes; 1 the container; 20 a pocket, normally containing a certain quantity of mercury; and 11 a projection from the positive electrode 3 connecting with mercury in the pocket 20. Mercury in flowing down the tube into the head makes contact with the mercury in the pocket 20 or the extension 11 of the positive as already described in connection with the preceding figures and this connection is finally broken between the mercury and the pocket 20 and the mercury column through which connection was originally made.

In Fig. 6 I illustrate a convenient form .of

magnet or solenoid for accomplishing the tilting of the apparatus. Here the core, 19 is so related to the coil, 21, as to provide a practically uniform pull as the core-is moved inward.

Referring to Fig. 7 I place an inductance,

22, and a resistance, 23, inthe leadsto the instead of the secondary circuits, has the advantage of simplicity and comparative eflectiveness, since, if single devices corresponding are located 1n the secondary 01rcuit, they must be located in the lead from thecathode to avoid unbalancing in which position they do not tend to control short circuiting which is a well known function of limiting devices located where they must be traversed by the short circuit currents.

The primary is shown at 25 and the secondary at 26.- The terminals of the secondary are connected as before to the positive elec-,

trodes 3 and-4 and an intermediate point of the secondary is joined through the magnet 21 and inductance device 27' and 28 to the negative electrode 2. Besides the features mentioned the special feature of this apparatusisthat Oftlltilllg the container in a longitudinal direction and at the same time giving to it a rocking motion. This is accomplished by means of the arrangement illustrated in Fig. 9-,'wherethe armature 29 is shown as being connected with a lever pivoted eccentrically as shown at 30 and 31 in Fig. 9 and so arranged that the container 1 supported by the armature is both lifted and rocked. This results in a separation of the mercury at a point underneath the electrode 4 as shown in Fig. 8. 1

It is to.be understood that when the container .1 is in the non-operating position, as shown in dotted lines, the head at the positive end of the lamp is in practically the position shown in Fig. 8, in which position the mercury extends across from the pocket 20 to a pocket, 64, under the electrode 3, so that anelectrical connection exsists through the lamp from the positive electrode 3 and the mercury in the two pockets named. Into the last named pocket extends alead, 65, which is connected by way of the pocket 20 as already described, through the resistance 18 and the cut-out 17 to the'middle point of-,the' secondary .26. Accordingly, when the main circuit is closed, the magnet 21 is energized and begins to exert a pull upon the lamp through its armature 29. It will be seen that the-lever, 30, rests upon a stop, 66, and that the initial action of the magnet would naturally tend to lift the said lever .from this stop were it not that the weight of the lamp tends to shift the latter, as the container is raised 1,110,? v I I a by the magnetic pull, toward the right as sequently the tilting cord is released caus-; seen in Fig. 9. This causes a separation of ing the mercury to bridge the connection the mercury connection between the merbetween the pocket 20 and the negative 2, cury in the ockets 20 and. 64, and, if at the thus transferring the negative as already time of the reak the mercury in the pocket described in connection with Fig. 4. The 70 -20 is negative, the positive electrodes 3 and lamp is suspended in such a manner that the 4 cooperate with the mercury in the pocket natural tendency will always be under the 20, causing a permanent local discharge be- Influence of gravity to restore the lamp to tween the said positives and the. mercury as the position illustrated in full linesin a. negative. If, however, the separation '00- Fig. 11. p

curs at a time when the mercur in the Figs. 12, 13 and 14 illustrate a type of pocket 64 is the negative in view of the conalternatlng current lamp in which the rap-- motions to the circuit, the current ceases to ture for starting the lamp. into operation flow in an alternation or so and the magnet takes place immediately under and close to 15 21 becomes deenergized and the lamp reone of the positive electrodes. This arturns to its original position. Thus the rangement greatly facilitates the starting pocket, 64, operates as a supplemental posiof the lamp and is, therefore, of advantage. tive electrode and the pocket 20, as a su ple- In these figures, 3 and 4 are the positive mental negative electrode. As soon, liow electrodes; 2, the negative electrode; and 1,

20 ever, as the mercury closes the connection the container of the lamp. The positive between the pockets 64 and 20, the above electrode 4 is located directly opposite the operation is repeated and will be repeated light giving tube 96, while the positive elecas described until finally a permanent distrode 3, which cooperates with the mercury charge is set up. As soon as this condition pocket 20 through the extension of the posi- 5 occurs themagnet 21 willcontinue the lifttive electrode 11, is placed at one side. In

ing and tilting of the container until the general, the operation of Figs. 12, 13 "and 14 mercury runs from the pocket 20 to; the is similar to the operation'of Figs. 1 and 2.

- main negative electrode 2. As connection The mercury in streaming from the negais established between these electrodes curtive electrode 2. to the pocket 20 passes go'rent will be transferred to the negative around a corner under the electrode 4 which electrode 2 and the electrode 20 be cut, causes a tendency for the initial break to ocout of circuit through the action of the coil our at this point; For the instant, then, the 28 and the cutout 17, as already described operating positive electrodes are the portion in connection with Fig. 4. of the mercury column 90 in contact with 35 Figs. 10 and 11 illustrate mechanical the positive electrode 3, and the positive means for accomplishing the double motion electrode 4, and the negative electrode is the described in connection with Figs. '1, 8 long tip of the mercury column remaining and 9-. i in contact with the negative electrode. All

4 In the apparatus shown in these figures these elements are thus in very close jux- 4o the rocking is accomplished b a dependtaposition, which is a favorable condition ing .cord or chain, 80, connecte to a llfting for the initial establishmentof current in arm, 94, extendingat one side from the such an apparatus. frame, 95, supportingethe lamp, as shown in In Fig. 15 I show a modified form of cir- Fig. 10, a sto 91 ing'provided to limit cuits to he used in connection with an alter- 45 the rocking o the lamp. The tilting motion nating current lamp. In the first instance is accomplished by -a second chain or cord, the mercury puddles, shown at 32 and 33, 81, depending from th frame, 95, supportare out of contact and when the circuit of ing the lamp in sucha position as that the mains 34 and 35 is closed, current passes shown, for example, in Fig. 11. In the rock through the lifting magnet, 36, and by way 50 ing motion the lam tube and frame 95 are of the wire or conductor, 37, to a cut-out, 1 5 pivoted at 93; whi e in the tilting motion 38, and back to the line. Between the mains these parts together with the part carrying are connected two choke coils, 39 and 40, the stop 91 are pivoted at. 92 in a plane at and a point intermediate between t hoke right angles to .t e first mentioned pivoting. coils is connected through two magnets, 41 5.5 Starting is ,then accomplished by pulling and 70,'to the negative electrode, 43, of the no the cord 81 and throwing a portion ofthe lamp. The magnet 41 is in operative relamercury into the positive end of the lamp, tion to the cut-out 38 while the magnet 70 then rocking the lam by the cord 80 so that is in operative relation to a cut-out, 44, in a contact .is made an broken between the circuit-lead1ng to the puddle 32 through'a x60 mercury in the pockets 64 and 20, which moresistance, 45. The electrode 46 is connect- 1 tion is continued, as already described, untiled by a wire, 49, to one of the mains 35 a permanent discharge is established bethrough a coil, 50, while the electrode 48 is tween the positive electrodes 3 and 4 and connected by a wire, 60, through a coil, 51, the mercury in the pocket 20. Tension is in inductive relation to the coil 50, to the 65 then-released on the rocking cord and .subother main '34.

. main 35 through the coil 50, the electrode 46, the mercury in the pocket 32, the resistance 45, the cut-out 44, the magnet 41, through the coil 39 to the source. This current in passing through the magnet 41 operates the cut-out 38 and deenergizes the coil 36 allowing the container to begin to drop and causing a separation between the pocket 32 and the electrode 46. This separation, may -or may not initiate a permanent discharge between the positive electrodes 46 and 47 and the mercury in the pocket 32 as already described. In case it does not, the magnet 36 will again become energized and repeat its action until such permanent discharge be established. This discharge will act permanently through the coil 41 upon the cut-out 38 deenergizing the magnet 36 and allowing the container to drop by gravity to its operating position transferring in this operation the negative electrode from the mercury of the pocket 32 to the negative electrode 43 through the agency of the coil 70 acting on the cut-out 44, as described in connection with Fig. 4.

I show a shield, 48, surrounding the electrode, 47, to assist in preventing short-circuits between the positive electrodes.

The magnets and 41 remain in the circuit as inductive resistances.

In a divisional application filed October 5th, 1911, Serial N umber-652,990, claims are made to certain other features of the 'invention claimed herein.

I claim as my invention 1. A mercury vapor lamp comprising a movable container for mercury, a plurality of positive electrodes in said container, and a negative electrode therein, the said electrodes being included in the main operating circuit of the lamp, and means operated by the main current adapted to move the said container so as to make and break metallic connection betweenthe negative electrode and at least one of the positive'electrodes, such means comprising a magnet coil in series with the lamp.

2. A vapor electric lamp having multiple positive electrodes and a conducting liquid negative electrode, a transformer having its primary connected with a source of alternating current and its secondary suitably connected to the said electrodes, in combination with a ballast device in the primary circuit.

3. A vapor electric lamp having multiple positive electrodes and a conducting liquid negative electrode, a transformer having its primary connected with a source of alternating current and its secondary suitably .means energized from the source 1n combination with a ballast device and an inductance in the primary circuit.

5. In a mercury vapor apparatus operated from an alternating current source, in-

cluding an exhausted container and electrodes .therefor, and adapted to be started by connection and disconnection of the electrodes, the combination of circuit connections for the passing of current initially through the container from the source, and automatic means energized by the source for tilting the container.

6. In connectionwith a mercury vapor apparatus adapted to be started by connec-. tion and; disconnection between electrodes through motion of the container, the combination of an alternating current source,-and connections from the source to the mercury vapor apparatus, cooperating electrodes therein, with a magnet adapted to move the container energized from the source;.

7. In connection with a mercury vapor apparatus adapted to start by tilting of the container and consequent separation of electrodes, the combination of an alternating current source,

nections between the source and the device,'

for continually tilting the container upon the application of voltage, and means for discontinuing such tilting means during normal operation of the device. I

In a vapor electric apparatus supplied from an alternating current source and adapted to be started by tilting, the method v of operation, which consists in repeatedly breaking within the container an initial current from the source automatically through energy derived from the source and discontinuing such action during normal operation.

9. In a mercury vapor apparatus, the combination of an exhausted container, a plurality of electrodes, including at least two positive electrodes of solid material and a negative electrode of liquid material, with an extension of oneof the positives adapted to coiiperate with the liquid of the negative duringmovement of the; container, together with means for moving the container.

10. In a mercury vapor apparatus, the combination of an exhausted container, a plurality of electrodes, including at least two positive electrodes of solid material and no a movablemercury vapor de- 100 vice, cooperating electrodes therefor, concomprising a light .the negative electrode,

a negative electrode ofliquid material, with an extension of one of the positives'adapte to cooperate with theliquid of the negative during movement of the container, and a. pocket for said extension, together with means for moving the container.

11. An alternating current vapor lamp giving tube, and a head at one end at right angles thereto contain-' ing a plurality of solid positive electrodes and a fluid cathode at the other end.

12. In a mercury vapor apparatus, having the positive electrodes separated from a supplementary electrode located in relative proximity to the positive electrodes, and a cut-out in the lead to the supplemental electrode.

13. In a mercury vapor apparatus having the. positive electrodes separa ed from the negative electrode, a supplementary electrodelocated in proximity to the positive electrode, and 'a cut-out in the lead to the supplemental electrode, and means whereby,-

of the supplementary through the action of the lamp is electrodes, the extinguishment prevented.

14. In an alternating current mercury vapor apparatus, the combination of an exhausted container, a negative electrode, a plurality of positive electrodes located relatively distant from said negative electrode, and starting means within the container in close proximity to the positive electrodes.

15. In an alternating current mercury va-' in which a plurality of positive electrodes are located relatively distant from the negative electrode and adapted to start by contact of electrodes, the method of operation, which consists in temporarily extending the negative electrode withinthe container into the vicinity of the positive electrode.

16. In a mercury vapor apparatus adaptpor apparatus,

' ed to be started by separation of electrodes,

the combination of a liquid negative electrode, a solid positive electrode, and aliquid extension to the solid positive electrode, and

means for causing initial separation to occur between. 'said extenslon and the liquid electrode. K

17. In connection with a mercury vapor apparatus adapted to be operated from'an alternatingcurrent source, the combination of an exhausted container, a liquid negative electrode therein, a plurality of positive electrodes, and a supplementary electrode, with a connection including resistance between the supplementary electrode and the negative electrode, and means for shunting this connection within the container.

18. In an alternating current mercury vapor apparatus,'a negative electrode, a plurality of positive electrodes relatively remote therefrom, a supplementary negative electrode' in proximity to the positive electrodes mentary 'ed movement of the container,

rally remaining and co'nriected through an external resistance I with said negative electrode, together with means for making and'breaking-connection between the. negative and sup lementary negative within the vacuum cham er.

5 19. In an alternating current mercury vapor apparatus, a negative electrode, a Phil. rality of positive electrodes relatively remote therefrom,,.a supplementary negative electrode in proximity to the positive electrodes and connected through an external resistance with said negative electrode, together with means for making and breaking connection between the negative and supplenegative within the vacuum chamber, and plementary negative.

20.. In an alternating current mercury vapor apparatus, the combination of a negative electrode, a plurality of main "electrodes, with at least one supplementary negative electrode and at least one supplementary positive electrode. I

21. In a mercury vapor electric apparatus adapted to be started by movement of the container and requiring an initial starting operation and a subsequent transfer of current, the combination of means for moving the container to produce an initial starting, with means for producing a second motion for completing the transfer operation.

'22. In a mercury vapor apparatus adapted to be started by tilting the container and requiring a transfer of current for starting, the combination ofmeans for producing an initial motion adapted to start the device with means for producing a second motion in a different plane to the first for completing the starting operation.

23. In a'mercury vapor apparatus adapted to be started b tilting the container and requiring a trans er of current for starting, the combination of means-for producing an initial motion adapted to start the device with means for producing a second motion in a different plane to the first for completing the starting operatiom and means whereby the first named motibn may be-pe-. riodically repeated until the initial starting is com lete.

24.1%: an alternatin current mercury vapor apparatus natura. y remaimng out of its operating position and adapted to start by mechanical motion, the combination of automatic means energized from the alternating current supply for obtaining repeat 4 with means for arrestin said motion upon the normal starting of t e device.

25. In a mercury vapor apparatus natuout of the normal operatadapted to be started by. the combination of eated motion for means for-moving ing position and mechanical motion, means for obtaining re purposes of starting, an

a cut-out in the circuit of the supsaid apparatus to operating position for completing the starting operation.

26.1 In an alternating current mercury vapor apparatus adapted to be started by me chanical motion, the combination of means for moving the container out of its operating position, means for producing subsequent starting movements, with means for restoring thevoperating position upon the completion of starting operation.

27. In an alternating current mercury vapor apparatus adapted to be started by mechanical motion, the combination with means for producing mechanical motions for starting purposes, with means for moving the apparatus from the natural resting position to the normal operating position on the completion of the starting operation.'

tainer, the combination of means for producing a limited motion for starting pur-' poses with means for producing a continued motion for bringing the apparatus into its normal operating position. V

Signed at New York, in the county of New York, and State of day of May, A. D. 1905.

' PERCY H. THOMAS. Witnesses: v

WM. H. CAPEL, GEORGE H. S'rooKBRmGE.

New York, this 8th 

